PITTSBURGH: Dan Onorato will join Highmark, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, as EVP and chief external affairs and communications officer. He replaced David O'Brien who said he would retire in 2012 after 32 years with the company.

Onorato joins the company January 3 where he will lead government relations, corporate communications, PR, and community affairs. He will report to company president and CEO Ken Melani. Onorato, a former lawyer, is the outgoing county executive in Allegheny County.